Watanabe Update

Does anyone ever check the blog anymore? It was such a good idea and I have failed to do my part to contribute monthly as was my goal.
The Watanabes are loving life in Blacksburg VA. Did you know that Blacksburg was voted the 'best town to live in' by a few different magazines? Well we believe it. Here are some of the wonderful things about Blacksburg that we love:
     It is beautiful! It is green everywhere with rolling hills and mountains everywhere. A wonderful fog lies in the valley where we live nearly every morning. There is a train that chugs through our area. You can hear it but can only see parts of it through the trees. It is quaint. Little farms and old barns are everywhere. Our house is right next to an old cemetery and Baptist church. We saw a head stone that was from the 1800s. The beauty here continues to impress us.
    The elementary school the kids go to is the best that we have been to. This is our 5th elementary school. Now I know this may not make sense but I tend to rate a school based on how much homework they send home. The first day Nellie came home and the teacher made the note that the homework should never take more than 5-10 minutes. If it did then the homework should be sent back unfinished. So to me that sends a message that the school values family time and play time. It also is an indicator that they are efficient with their teaching time at school.
    The community is so family friendly. From the elementary schools to Virginia Tech there are free events and activities regularly. The students at Virginia Tech go into the schools and offer free clubs. Our kids have been in the following clubs thus far: German Club, Computer Club, Nature Club, and Vet Club. Also STEM programs are abundant here offering educational activities all the time.
     The people here are happy, friendly, and God fearing. Churches are everywhere. The community is service oriented. Blacksburg has many different organizations to help the less fortunate. Blacksburg has welcomed about 5 different refugee families and has provided housing, clothing, furniture, etc. for them. There are plenty of opportunities to help. I know this is the case everywhere but in Blacksburg they are very organized about it and very inclusive to give people chances to serve.
     We have a great ward! It is a strong ward. We are needed but not desperately. So it feels great to be somewhere with needs somewhere between our Texas ward and Utah wards. Deron and I are ward missionaries. We've really enjoy this calling.

So on to the latest news. Deron took and passed the CMA test last semester. The CMA is equivalent to the CPA but is for Managerial Accounting. I was nervous that he took that on along with the first semester in the PhD program. But he did and he did well on both. He impresses me with his constant desire to learn and improve. So far on my end this PhD thing hasn't been too taxing on our family. Deron is good about getting home at a decent hour and spending time with us. It actually seems like he has more time now with us then he ever did in the work force.

Annie is playing basketball for the first time and she enjoys that. She has made some very good friends. She is growing! And is on the cusp of being a young woman!!

Luke is always busy with something. He loves playing basketball. He loves teaching his sisters things. He loves reading Harry Potter. He loves writing. He just is a happy playful kid.

Nellie is Luke's right hand man. She and he are the best of buds and it warms my heart to see them enjoy each other so much. She has a goofy personality and certain skills that remind me of myself. I am really enjoying her at this age.

Nancy is 5! She's dying to go to school! Thus far its just been her and me having lessons at home. She is always great company.

Charles is turning to be a great kid as he learns more and more independence.

Eve brings smiles to our faces every day.

Did I mention I get to play volleyball with a pretty good group here? Well I do and I love it.

Sure miss you all!
Lori